How leveraged bitcoin trading works

Bitcoin is usually quoted against the US dollar — so when you buy bitcoin on an exchange, you are selling USD and buying bitcoin. If bitcoin’s price rises, then you can sell it for a profit, because bitcoin is worth more USD than when you bought it. If bitcoin’s price falls, then you make a loss.

When you buy bitcoin with IG, you’re doing the same thing. But instead of taking ownership of bitcoin, you’re opening a position that will increase in value as bitcoin’s price increases against the dollar. If bitcoin’s price falls, then your position will lose value.

We offer leveraged bitcoin trading via CFDs. You can open short positions as well as long: so if bitcoin’s price drops, your position increases in value. Our spreads start at just 110 points. Bitcoin can be traded on all our trading platforms, including MT4.

FAQs

Do I need a bitcoin wallet to trade bitcoin markets with IG?

No. With IG you are simply speculating on the price movement of bitcoin ($). You never need to actually own any.

Can I take a short view to open on the price of bitcoins ($) with the markets that IG offers?

Yes. With our FX pairs, digital 100s and sprint markets you never hold bitcoins in the real sense, so you can take a short view to open on bitcoins.

How are IG's bitcoin settlements derived?

IG’s bitcoin settlement is based on a combination of real time prices provided directly by some of the world’s most liquid bitcoin exchanges.

When are your bitcoin markets available?

Bitcoin markets are available from 4am on Saturday morning through to 10pm on Friday night (London time) (market holidays permitting).

Where are the bitcoin markets on the trading platform?

The bitcoin FX pairs are under "Forex" > "Virtual FX". The bitcoin ($) markets and digital 100s are under "Bitcoin" in the main finder navigation.

Can I trade bitcoin on the MetaTrader 4 platform?

Yes, you can use the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform to trade bitcoin against the dollar. With MT4, you'll gain access to low latency execution, as well as a number of free apps, indicators and tools.

Open an account now

It's free to open an account, takes less than five minutes, and there's no obligation to fund or trade.

2South African residents are required to obtain the necessary tax clearance certificates in line with their foreign investment allowance and may not use credit or debit cards to fund their international account.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. Professional clients can lose more than they deposit. All trading involves risk.

IG is a trading name of IG Markets Ltd and IG Markets South Africa Limited. International accounts are offered by IG Markets Limited in the UK (FCA Number 195355), a juristic representative of IG Markets South Africa Limited (FSP No 41393). South African residents are required to obtain the necessary tax clearance certificates in line with their foreign investment allowance and may not use credit or debit cards to fund their international account.

IG provides execution only services and enters into principal to principal transactions with its clients on IG’s prices. Such trades are not on exchange. Whilst IG is a regulated FSP, CFDs issued by IG are not regulated by the FAIS Act as they are undertaken on a principal-to-principal basis.

The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States or Belgium or any particular country outside South Africa and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

Voted SA’s top CFD provider in Business Day Investors Monthly Annual Stockbroker Awards in 2012 and 2013, best platform for Active Day Traders in 2013 and 2014 and SA's best Online Broker in 2015 and 2017.

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 79% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.